Brian Selznick has become one of my favorite illustrators. I first noticed his art when reading Andrew Clements’s books. Frindle and Lunch Money caught my attention, but then the others were too much like them. I read Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride and When Marian Sang (and Walt Whitman: Words for America-briefly) without realizing it was Selznick’s illustrations. I did notice The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins was his, but I also did not know about his short novels or his work in a few other young novels. Then, reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret was one of a few moments that inspired me to start a series of posts concentrating on the phenomenal art of illustrators. What a nice surprise to discover two books I had greatly enjoyed were his work.
Selznick is one of the most amazing illustrators. His art is reminiscent of Chris Van Allsburg’s. Both appear realistic even when highly dramatic or fantastical. Both have great attention to detail. One of Selznick’s distinguishing features is the radiant quality and emotion of his people. I also enjoy his rich colors, some of the texture, and his variation of color style to suit the mood or possibly to highlight a particular point.
Selznick has also had the good fortune of teaming up with some excellent authors. He couldn’t have picked a better 3rd-5th grade author to display his work than Andrew Clements. Once he had everyone’s attention, he partnered with Barbara Kerley, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Rosemary Wells-all three fantastic.
picture books illustrated by Selznick:
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride 1999 (Pam Muñoz Ryan)
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins 2001 (Barbara Kerley)
When Marian Sang 2002 (Pam Muñoz Ryan)
Walt Whitman: Words for America 2004 (Barbara Kerley)
novels written by Selznick:
The Houdini Box 1991
The Robot King 1995
The Boy of a Thousand Faces 2000
The Invention of Hugo Cabret 2007
novels by other authors:
Doll Face Has a Party! 1994 (Pam Conrad)
Frindle 1996 (Andrew Clements)
Riding Freedom 1998 (Pam Muñoz Ryan)
The Landry News 2000 (Andrew Clements)
The Janitor’s Boy 2000 (Andrew Clements)
The Doll People 2000 (Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin)
The School Story 2001 (Andrew Clements)
A Week in the Woods 2002 (Andrew Clements)
Wingwalker 2002 (Rosemary Wells)
The Meanest Doll in the World 2003 (Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin)
The Report Card 2004 (Andrew Clements)
The Last Holiday Concert 2004 (Andrew Clements)
Friends 2005 (shorts edited by Martin & Levithan)
Lunch Money 2005(Andrew Clements)
Marly’s Ghost 2006 (David Levithan)
Room One 2006 (Andrew Clements)
No Talking 2007 (Andrew Clements)
*The Andrew Clements books are great, but Selznick’s work in them is mostly cover art. With the exception of The Janitor’s Boy, I have not read the books without links.
